INTERPLAY OF FAMILIAL CAPITAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTSON SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITION AND COMPLETION IN GHANAAND NIGERIA

Abstract

The introduction of free education up to the Junior Secondary School level in Nigeria andGhana’s Free Senior High School (FSHS) notwithstanding, both countries continue to facechallenges of students' dwindling enrolment and completion rates at the secondary schoollevel. Previous studies on enrolment and completion rates largely focused on elementaryeducation, with scant attention paid to secondary school students’ enrolment, let alonecomparative phenomena in Ghana and Nigeria. This study, therefore, examined family-related factors influencing secondary school students’ enrolment and completion rates inGhana and Nigeria. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory was adopted as aframework, while comparative survey design methodology was used. Southwestern Nigeriawas randomly selected from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, while the Ashanti regionwas randomly selected from Ghana’s regions. Ekiti and Oyo States in Nigeria andMampong and Sekyere Districts in Ghana were purposively selected. Thirty-two publicsecondary schools were randomly selected from the States and the Regions. Theinstruments were: Teachers Family-Related Factors (α=0.82), Teachers Environmental(α=0.90), Student Family-Related Factors (α=0.79), Student Environmental (α=0.80)questionnaires. School records were equally consulted (2011-2021). Data were analysedusing descriptive statistics, PPMC and Analysis of variance at P≤0.05. Family-relatedfactors significantly influenced secondary school enrolment in Ghana, whileenvironmental factors significantly influenced secondary school enrolment in Nigeria.Family-related and environmental factors comparatively influenced secondary schoolenrolment and completion rates in Nigeria and Ghana. Improved enrolment andcompletion rates require collaborative efforts among governments, communities, andparents. Such collaboration can enhance funding, improve security, leverage localresources, and foster supportive home environments.